This study was initiated to determine the best ratio at which cassava
meal could be incorporated in the diets of broiler
chicks and the economic benefit of feeding cassava meal to broilers. For this
investigation 1140 kg of fresh cassava tubers were sun-dried and converted to
flour (composition determined). Eight hundred one day old chicks were selected
for this trial. There were four treatments (0%, 5%, 10% & 15% Cassava meal) arranged accordingly to
completely randomized design with two replicates. There were two hundred birds
per treatment. All the chicks were given feed and water ad lib. The trial
lasted for a period of six weeks.Body weights were taken weekly, mortality was recorded daily and
the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was
determined. The economic cost was calculated at the end of this trial. The
results of this study indicated that
cassava root meal canbe used as substitute for the rice or corn in
conventional feed for poultry, provided
that the cassava-based rations are balanced properly for all nutrients. The
results of
the study indicated that
cassava can be included as an ingredient in poultry feed. The recommended amount is 15%.